What pests tell us about our environment

The Knowledge and Advisory Centre for Pest Management (KAD) provides objective, expert advice on pest species in relation to the design, management and use of the living environment. At the Vakbeurs Openbare Ruimte, we show that pest species are more than just a matter of control. They can also help reveal where there are opportunities to improve design, management, use or cooperation.

The presence of pests is linked to factors such as waste, sewers, buildings, the behaviour of residents and business owners, and the design of green and public spaces, among others. This is not only about large numbers or high volumes of reports. A single sighting, one recurring signal or one specific location may already be reason to look more broadly.

Those who interpret that signal correctly can address underlying causes sooner, reduce recurrence and ultimately act in a more targeted and cost-effective way.

KAD supports municipalities, among other things, with:

▶ Interpreting signals, reports and sightings

▶ Identifying underlying causes and risk factors

▶ Strengthening prevention and early detection

▶ Improving coordination between the parties involved

▶ Embedding direction and oversight on pest issues within the organisation

▶ Developing policy and implementation frameworks

Would you like to know what pest species can tell you about your area, organisation or management practice? Visit us at the Vakbeurs Openbare Ruimte and start a conversation with us.

Also attend our presentation, "Pest Species as an Indicator of the Living Environment", and discover how this approach can help to interpret signals in the living environment more broadly and at an earlier stage.